Tragedy in Las Vegas
On October 1, 2017, staff from The Valley Health System responded to the deadliest mass shooting in the country. A majority of the injured were taken to The Valley Health System emergency rooms and UHS staff rallied to assist in our hospitals and at the shooting location.
So many lives were changed forever that day. Here are some firsthand accounts of how a horrific situation brought out the best in humanity.
Summerlin Hospital Medical Center
"A bad situation was turned into a memorable lifetime experience. The professionalism, empathy and awesome attitudes of all the nurses, CNAs, therapy personnel and everyone else involved with my care, surgery and recovery. No one wants to go through what I did. But the ladies and gents were amazing and will forever be loved and remembered for the great jobs they did in my case."
— Patient; testimonial received via Facebook
Valley Hospital Medical Center
"During an interview for CBS News, a former patient told the crew that her care at Valley Hospital had been amazing. She could not thank the doctors, nurses and staff enough for all they did for her, her family and the rest of the surviving victims that were hospitalized. 'They all have been so amazing here at this hospital. It's incredible!' "
— Christine Beltran-Bittner, MBA, System Director of Advertising
Henderson Hospital
"Many nurses and physicians, without being called, reported for duty because they truly care about others."
— Tina Coker, CNO
Valley Hospital Medical Center
"I came to Valley Hospital after having been critically injured at Route 91 Country Music Festival. I was shot in the stomach and the fight of my life began. I have nothing but appreciation, love, and respect for the way they treated my family, friends and myself. I cannot speak highly enough about the nurses, doctors and staff I encountered. I can't thank Valley Hospital enough for their comfort and kindness shown to me and my family during a rough time for all of us. Valley Hospital was a Shining Star during a dark and unsettling time. To all the doctors, nurses and staff, you showed the best of humanity when evil tried to unsuccessfully prevail."
— Patient; testimonial received via Facebook
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history. It made landfall in Florida on September 10, 2017, forcing 46 UHS acute care and behavioral health facilities to be put on emergency preparedness status. The storm forced the evacuation of six facilities, while two others remained open to provide a safe place for patients.
But patient care doesn't stop, even when healthcare facilities are being evacuated. Here is what some patients and their family members had to say about the actions of UHS employees in Florida during Hurricane Irma.
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
"Our experience at your hospital was phenomenal. The staff was cheerful and very professional. We were seen promptly and appropriate testing was ordered. I know that many of the staff there were working multiple shifts and several were brought over from another hospital. They all need to be highly commended."
— Husband of patient; testimonial received via Lakewood Ranch Medical Center website
Wellington Regional Medical Center
"We are so blessed to have taken shelter at Wellington Regional Medical Center. As soon as we came to the cafeteria, they all welcomed us with a cheerful greeting and a great smile. I can't express how grateful I am to have them be in the hospital during this stressful time. Especially when we all want to be with our families and loved ones."
— Patient; testimonial received via Facebook
SandyPines
"Thank you SandyPines staff, and the sister facility Coral Shores, for the TREMENDOUS care and well-being of our little ones through this troubled time! Kudos to you all!"
— Mother of patient; testimonial received via email
Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 storm when it hit Texas on August 25, 2017. All four UHS Houston-area behavioral health facilities remained operational during the hurricane, which made three landfalls in Texas and Louisiana.
Many UHS employees were personally impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Read their accounts of exemplary patient care delivery and how the UHS Foundation came through in their time of need.
West Oaks Hospital
"Mandy, our CEO, personally delivered the relief checks to the employees. Many of them openly wept when she gave them their envelope. I can't express how grateful we are to the UHS Foundation."
— Krishna Payne, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Director of Human Resources
Cypress Creek Hospital
"The home of one of our employees was flooded. She had to leave her post in the admissions department during the storm to secure a boat to rescue her disabled mother who was at home. She returned to work later in the evening, bringing her mother to Cypress for shelter (they stayed throughout the event). We are most grateful to her for providing nursing coverage on the patient care units as needed."
— Brenda Dominguez, Director, Human Resources
